Top NHL Betting Picks for Saturday, October 16 (2021)
October is easily one of the best sports months of the year. We’re in the midst of the NFL and college football seasons. Baseball is finally almost over (my love for baseball has faded over the years). And hockey is back!
Admittedly, I have a hard time finding value in betting hockey this early in the year, as we only have a general idea of what we think each team will look like. I tend to keep my cards slimmer through the first month or two before really diving in around New Year’s.
However, that doesn’t mean we can’t find good bets on the board before Halloween. Let’s get this party started:
Compare odds from all major sportsbooks for today’s games >>
Winnipeg Jets (-140) at San Jose Sharks (+115), Total
The Winnipeg Jets are expected to contend for a playoff spot in a highly-contested Central Division. But the Jets stubbed their toes in the season opener, losing to the Anaheim Ducks 4-1 on the road.
The Jets didn’t put up a great effort, but a deeper look into the box score suggests this game wasn’t as lopsided as the final score indicates. In fact, the Jets were better in a lot of areas.
Winnipeg outshot the Ducks 35-22 and held the advantage in 5-on-5 expected goals, 1.53-1.07. However, special teams did the Jets in, as they failed to convert on five power-play opportunities. Meanwhile, the Ducks scored twice on five power-play opportunities.
The Sharks are one of the last teams to begin the 2021 season. And they come into the season with a bevy of questions, specifically on defense and between the pipes. Outside of veterans Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns, San Jose lacks much talent on the blue line. The bigger question lies in the net, though, as former Arizona Coyotes netminder Adin Hill will get the start Saturday night. Hill went 9-9 last season with a .913 save percentage and a 2.74 goals-against average. He’s hardly a proven solution in net.
I’m expecting Winnipeg to bounce back from its poor start to the season and score a road victory over the Sharks, who finished in last place in the Pacific Division a year ago.
Vancouver Canucks (-120) at Detroit Red Wings (even), Total 5.5
The Red Wings are coming off arguably the most thrilling game of this young season. Unfortunately, the outcome went against them, as they blew a 6-3 third period lead to lose 7-6 in overtime. The news gets even worse for Detroit, as captain Dylan Larkin was suspended one game for a punch during the season opener.
The Canucks have had their first two games settled by a shootout, splitting the results. Their win over Philadelphia was also a barnburner, as the Canucks won 5-4.
Neither of these teams are strong defensively or in the crease. The Canucks will be starting the uninspiring Jaroslav Halak in the second game of a back-to-back stretch. Red Wings starter Alex Nedeljkovic was lit up in his first start of the season, so we’ll see if Detroit turns to Thomas Greiss for Saturday’s game. Neither offers much shutdown potential.
I’m expecting a ton of goals in this game, so I’m taking the over.
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